Blog Post #5 – How does social media influence high school students’ social interactions and relationships, and how does that impact their overall well-being?

Inquiry Question: How does continuous engagement with social media platforms, without regular breaks, influence the mental health and academic performance of high school students?

Research Step 3: How does social media influence high school students’ social interactions and relationships, and how does that impact their overall well-being?

Individuals incorporate social media into their everyday lives as it is a crucial aspect in modern society. (1) It has been expanding at a rapid pace, particularly post-pandemic, as the world depends on technology nowadays. (1) From recent blog posts, we can see how social media is starting to have a greater influence on education. (1) Many people share different opinions on whether or not connecting online increases poor mental health, including concerns over depression, stress, and anxiety. (1) However, as the digital world is continuously evolving, we can view contrasting behaviours among high school students. (1)

Social media definitely has an impact on students’ social interactions and relationships. (2) As teenagers spend more time online, they start to lack critical social skills, such as starting basic conversations and developing personal, deep connections. (2) We live in a community that is so fixated on platforms, regarding other people’s lives, that we soon forget to take care of our own. (2) By spending great heaps of time on social media, students isolate themselves from living their own life. (2) Just by simply walking down a school hallway, one can see how much time is wasted by people endlessly scrolling, trying to find an escape from reality. (2) It is truly heartbreaking to watch a class full of students be consumed using a screen, closing themselves off to potential insightful social connections. (2)

A variety of studies have displayed that people who spend an increased amount of time on social media are more likely to have fewer close friends. (3) This subject matter links back to previous blog posts where we looked at how excessive use of platforms potentially leads to poor mental health, including anxiety, depression, and distorted body image perceptions. (3) Due to these factors, the mental health of a growing teenager can be greatly deteriorated, taking a toll on their well-being.(3) Mental health may be improved by prioritizing wellness and healthy habits; being mindful and open to new opportunities.(3)

How can we improve our social interactions and well-being?

An obvious factor that will improve social interactions is cutting out excessive social media usage and spending time with others. (4) Reducing screen time doesn’t even have to be too drastic either; simply try to devote 30 minutes less next time you find yourself scrolling on a platform. (4) By living without the constant urge to check a notification, one can connect with the environment they are in, and live in the moment. (4) Next time you find free time in the evening, consider eating dinner with family or friends to find social connections whilst fueling your body. (4) Finding small moments and making them into delightful memories can improve one’s state of mind significantly. (4) Another tip to reckon is getting involved in the community. (4) This can be done through many different ways such as volunteering, helping out neighbours, or joining an extracurricular activity. Being involved in a certain activity keeps one busy, while also giving them a sense of purpose and belonging. (4) In addition, many social connections can be made from taking part in activities, boosting an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. (4) Not to mention, participating in these extracurricular activities also looks flattering on a resume! (4)

These are just a few tips to take into consideration when looking into improving and enhancing relationships. By putting down a phone, one can connect with the surroundings around them and enjoy the small, but beautiful moments.

– Vanessa Vukovic

Resources:

(1) Chen, M., & Xiao, X. (2022). The Effect of Social Media on the Development of Students’ Affective Variables. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(1010766). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1010766

(2) Sun, L. (2023, October 31). Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: Does Digital Mindfulness-based intervention effectively work? – BMC psychology. BioMed Central. https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01398-7

(3) Guy-Evans, O., on, U., & 7, J. (2025, January 7). High school students’ social emotional learning skills and social media use. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/students-social-emotional-learning-skills-and-social-media-use.html

(4) Staff, S. (2018, September 20). Scientists studied people who don’t use any social media. here’s what they learned. https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-studied-people-who-don-t-use-any-social-media-here-s-what-they-learned